Jet propulsion engine



y 11, 1943- e. R. MICUTA 2,319,149

JET PROPULSION ENGINE Filed June 24, 1942 as z 5e 35 a2 5 /4\ 9 Z J l II I I l' a I 6 II 22 7 l ll /5 29 INV ENT OR.

14 T TORNE Y Patented May 11, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JETPROPULSION ENGINE George R. Micuta, Seattle, Wash.

Application June 24, 1942, Serial No. 448,312

6 Claims. (Cl. 115-15) My invention relates to jet propulsion devicesfor use on water craft and particularly for use on submarines.

An object of my invention is to provide a jet propulsion device for useon submarines and undersea craft which will be less noisy in itsoperation and which will give greater speed under water per unit ofpower consumed than will the driving equipment now in use on submarines.

Another object of my invention is to provide a Jet propulsion devicethat is highly efiicient in operation and economical in its consumptionof power.

Another object of my invention is to provide jet propulsion means whichemploys a confined gas under pressure in combination with external waterpressure in providing a high velocity water jet used for propulsionpurposes.

Another object of my invention is to provide novel and efiicient gascompression means in combination with a novel and efficient pump unitoperated jointly by gas and water pressure.

Other objects of this invention will be apparent from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

-In the drawing Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic side elevation of jetpropulsion means constructed in accordance with my invention showing thesame installed within a submarine, a. fragment of the submarine beingshown in section.

Fig. 2 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of the same, taken partly in planand partly in section substantially on broken line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical mid-sectional view through the jet propulsion unit.

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram, with parts in section, showing electricalcontrol switch and valve means embodied in this invention.

Fig. 5 is a detached elevation showing one apparatus that may beused tocontrol the angular positioning of a discharge jet tube.

Like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the severalviews.

This jet propulsion apparatus comprises one or more fat producingdevices of a form shown in cross section in Fig. 3. I show two of thesejet producing devices and it will be understood that, while one of saiddevices can be used to drive a ship, two or more of said devices willpreferably be used in each installation. These jet producing devices areconnected, by conduits 8 in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with acompressor 9 in a hermetically sealed tank or receptacle ID.

A compressor lung H is connected with the receptacle III by a conduit 3.A gas and water dump receptacle l2 and a gas dump receptacle I3 areprovided. An exhaust pump and compressor I4 is connected between thedump l3 and the compressor lung l l by conduits 6.

The gas and water dump receptacle I2 is connected by conduits I withpump means, hereinafter described, and is connected with the lungreceptacle l I by a conduit 5 having a check valve i therein. The checkvalve 4 permits gas to pass from dump receptacle [2 to lung receptacle[I if the gas pressure in receptacle l2 exceeds the gas pressure inreceptacle I l. The dump receptacle l2 also has a normally closed wateroutlet valve 2, Fig. 1, that is adapted to be opened by the pressure ofan excess amount of water in the dump receptacle l2 to discharge thewater therefrom. The valve l maybe float controlled and is arranged sothat it will not permit the discharge of gas from receptacle i2,

The gas dump receptacle i3 is connected by conduits I with the cylindersof pump means hereinafter described.

The pump unit for producing the water jets, see Fig. 3, comprises a basedisposed within a ship, preferably a submarine, and having one endportion rigidly secured to the hull 29 of the ship.

The base cylinder I5 is open to the sea pressure on the exterior,preferably the bottom of the ship, and preferably said base cylinder hasan inwardly directed bottom flange l6 that serves as a piston stop andthat has a ring I! of cushioning material disposed thereon.

The upper end portion of the base cylinder l5 has an outwardly extendingannular flange I8. The base cylinder I5 is provided, just below theflange [8, see Fig. 4, with an inlet opening or port 20 and an outletopening or port I9. Adjacent its bottom end the base cylinder 15 ispreferably provided with a plurality of grease inlet fittings 2|.Similar grease inlet fittings are provided in an upper cylinder member22.

The interior of the base member I5 is precisely machined to a truecylinder and is accurately polished.

The upper cylinder member 22 is provided with an outwardly extendingbase flange 23 that is secured by means, such as cap screws 24, to theupper flange ill of the base cylinder l5. Preferably the upper cylinder22 has a portion 25 that secured by bolts 3| to the upper flange 26 ofthe upper cylinder 22. A plurality of fluid outlets 32 are providedbetween the two flanges 26 and 38 for the escape of gases and liquidsfrom the chamber 28.

Each core member 21 has a longitudinal passageway 33 therein. A flapvalve 34 is provided at the lower end of each passageway 33 and a jetdelivery conduit 35 is connected with the upper end of each passageway33.

V Each conduit 35 is connected through a multiple way valve 88 and balland socket joint 8| with a jet discharge pipe 82 which protrudes fromthe rear portion of the ships hull 28 and preferably is adjustable intodifferent angular positions, the ball and socket joint 8| permittingangular adjustment.

The valve 88 is also connected with forwardly extending divergentconduits 83, each of which, preferably, terminates in a jet tube 84 thatextends in a generally forward direction and may also have a downwardincline, or if desired, an upward incline. As many jet tubes 84 asdesired may be provided on the submarine and each jet tube 84 may haveany desired incline to thereby provide reverse or upward or downwardthrust.

A hollow tubular piston member 36 is reciprocably disposed within thebase cylinder l and chamber 28 of topcylinder 22. This piston memvidedon the top of the flange 38 in a suitable position so that when thepiston 36 is near the upper limit of its travel the bumper member 42will engage with other resilient bumper means 43 which is supported bythe upper cylinder 22.

The external diameter of the tubular piston 36 is substant'filly smallerthan the internal diameter of the base cylinder |5 to thereby form apressure chamber 48 into which fluid, such as an inert gas may beadmitted to move the tubular piston downwardly.

The upper end portion of the tubular piston member 36 is provided withexternal rings 58 and internal rings 5|, which respectively contact theupper cylinder 22 and the core 21 and help to prevent leakage of waterand gas under pressure.

The bottom end wall.31 of the tubular piston 36 is provided with a waterintake opening 44 controlled by a check valve 45. Obviously the form ofthis check valve may be varied. I have shown a valve 45 of disc shapepositioned in a housing 48 and having guide stems 46 guided in spiders41.

Two piston-controlled electric switches 68 and 6| are provided inconnection with this device, one for operation when the tubular piston86 reaches the uppermost limit of its stroke and the other for operationwhen said tubular piston 86 reaches the lowermost limit of its stroke.Each switch 68 and 6| may comprise contacts 62 pref.- erably carried byspring means 63. In each switch one of the springs 63 is engaged by apush rod 64 that rests against a push member 65 positioned within thecylinder 22. When the piston member 36 overlaps the push member 65 theforce of the springs 63 will be overcome and the switch opened orclosed, depending on the switch arrangement.

The switches 68 and 6| control the operation of two valves 66 and 61.The valve 66 of each unit controls the inlet of gas under pressure tothe chamber 48. The valve 61 of each unit controls the outlet or reliefof gas under pressure from the chamber 48.

The switch 68, that I have shown in Fig. 4, will open when unrestrainedand is adapted to be closed when the push member 65 thereof is contactedby the piston 36. The switch 6| has to be held open and will closeautomatically when the push member 65 thereof vis released by the piston36.

In Fig. 4, I have shown two solenoids 68 and 68 connected as by linkmeans 10 and lever means 1| with the valves 66 and 61. The solenoid 68is connected by conductors 12, 13 and 14 with the switch 68 and with asource of supply of electric current, such as main circuit wires 15,which may extend to suitable batteries, not shown. The solenoid 68 isconnected by conductors 16, 11 and 18 with the switch 6| and with thesource of supply wires 15. The compressor 8 in the hermetically sealedtank I8 is connected through a switch 58 with the circuit wires 15 byconductors 52, 53 and 54. The compressor I4 is connected through aswitch 58 with the circuit wires 15 by conductors 55, 56 and 51. Theswitches 58 and 58 preterably are self opening switches that are adaptedto be closed by a switch closing member 44 on the solenoid operatedlinks 18.

One means for controlling the position of the jet discharge tube 82 tothereby control the direction of delivery of the jet is shown in Fig. 5.This means comprises two adjuster plates 85 and 86 provided respectivelywith two intersecting slots 81 and 88 positioned at right angles to eachother and guided for movement in directions at right angles to eachother by guide means 88, the plate 85 being movable vertically and theplate 86 being movable horizontally. Obviously vertical movement of theplate 85 will tilt the jet discharge tube 82 up or down to providevertical steering of the craft while horizontal movement of the plate 86will similarly-provide horizontal tilting movement of the jet tube 82 tohorizontally steer the craft. Obviously movement of both plates 85 and86 can be used to position the jet tube at any desired angle.

The plates 85 and 86 may be moved by connecting rod means connected witheccentrics 8| on shifts 82 that extend to the inside of the ships hulland that may be controlled manually or in any other suitable way.

Obviously a rudder may also be provided for steering purposes ifdesired.

To prepare this device for operation, preferably a non-explosivenon-corrosive gas, such as of current in the wires I is interrupted, asby opening switch 93.

If the piston 36 is at the upper limit of its movement with the switch6!! closed and the switch 6| open, at the time current is turned intothe wires 15, as by closing switch 93, then the solenoid 68 will beenergized. The energizing of solenoid 88. will open the valve 66.provided it is not already in an open position and will close the valve61 provided it s not already in a closed position. At the same time thecircuit through switch 59 will be closed and the compressor 9 will beoperated. This will introduce gas under pressure into the chamber 49,force the piston 36 downwardly and cause the chamber within said piston36 to flllwith sea water.

As soon as the piston 96 begins to move downwardly the switch 60 willopen but the valves 66 and 61 will remain in the same positions and thecompressor 9 will continue to operate until the piston reaches the lowerlimit of its movement and releases the switch operating member 65 of thelower switch 6|. The release of switch 6| will cause this switch toclose thereby closing the circuit to the solenoid 69 and bringing aboutthe opening of the circuit to the compressor 9. Also energizing ofsolenoid 69 opens valve 61 and closes valve 66 and closes switch 59.When this occurs the piston '36 begins to move upwardly due to thepressure of'the sea water thereon and continues its upward movement asthe compressor H withdraws the gas from the chamber '49 and returns thisgas to the compressor lung ll.

Upward movement of the piston 36 expels the water past the flap valve 34and provides a Jet of water at relatively high velocity for propellingthe ship.

My Jet propulsion means is particularly well adapted for use onsubmarines but may also be used on surface vessels.

The usual submarinewhen on the surface has a choice of using :either thepower from its internal combustion motors or the power from itsbatteries. When submerged it can only use battery power. w 3 I My jetpropulsion means contemplates the use of internal combustion motors tocharge batteries which, in turn, furnish power to operate the motordriven compressors 9 and it. Obviously provision preferably will be madeto drive the compressors 9 and I! 'directly from the internalcombustion'motors'when the submarine is on the surface. This will makeit possible to simultaneously drive the submarine and charge thebatteries without, at the same time, usingv the batteries.

At all times it is desirable to maintain pressure .in the compressorlung at least high enough to be operable efliciently at the maximumdiving depths of the submarine. This pressure may be replenished fromtime to time from external sources, asdesired.

The work done by the compressors to create the diflerential pressures inthe lung H and air dump receptacle I3 is thus used in propelling thevessel. The propulsion means is very quiet in operation and will propelthe vessel at relatively high speed. When a submarine that is equippedwith my jet propulsion means is under water the batteries will readilymaintain the pressures required in the lung II and air dump l3 andmaximum operating eiiiciency will be assured.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawing disclose a preferredembodiment of my invention but it will be understood that numerouschanges in my device may be made within the scope and spirit of thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. Jet producing means for marine propulsion comprising a base cylindersecured to a ship hull and having a bottom end portion open to theexterior of said hull; an upper cylinder of smaller diameter than saidbase cylinder rigid with the top endportion of said base cylinder andpositioned coaxially thereof; a cylindrical core of smaller diameterthan said upper cylinder supported coaxially within said upper cylinderand cooperating therewith to form an annular cham-- ber, said corehaving a liquid outlet passageway; a propulsion Jet tube connected withsaid pass'ageway and extending to the exterior of the.

hull; a tubular sleeve reciprocable in said1-annular chamber; a pistonhead of larger diameter than said sleeve on the lower end portion ofsaid sleeve and reciprocable in said base cylinder; a check valvecontrolling the liquid outlet passageway in said core; another checkvalve in said piston head yieldable to pressure on the bottom side ofsaid head; and gas pressure inlet means connected with the upper endportion of said base cylinder adapted to admit gas under pressure abovesaid piston head to the chamber surrounding said sleeve.

2. Jet producing means for marine propulsion comprising a base cylindersecured to the hull of a ship and having a bottom end portion open tothe exterior of said hull; an upper cylinder of smaller diameter thansaid base cylinder rigid with the top end portion of said base cylinderand positioned coaxially thereof; a cylindrical core of smaller diameterthan said upper cylinder supported coaxially within said upper cylinderand cooperating therewith to form an annular chamber, said core having aliquid outlet passageway; a propulsion jet tube connected with saidpassageway and extending to the exterior of the hull of said ship; fluidpressure relief means connected with the upper end portion of saidannular chamber; a tubular sleeve reciprocable in said annular chamber;internal andexternai pisto the chamber surrounding said sleeve.

3. Jet producing means for marine propulsion comprising a base cylindersecured to a ship's hull and having a bottom end portion open to theexterior of said hull; an upper cylinder of smaller diameter than saidbase cylinder rigid with the top end portion of said base cylinder andpositioned coaxialiy thereof; a cylindrical core of smaller'diameterthan said upper cylinder supported coaxially within said upper cylinderand cooperating therewith to form an annular chamber; said core having aliquid outlet passageway; a propulsion Jet tube connected with saidpassageway and extending to the exterior of the hull; a tubular sleevereciprocable in said annular chamber; a piston head of larger diameterthan said sleeve on the lower end portion of said sleeve andreciprocable in said base cylinder; a check valve controlling the liquidoutlet passageway in said core; another check valve in said piston headyieldable to pressure on the bottom side of said head; gas pressureinlet means connected with the upper end portion or said base cylinder;gas pressure outlet means connected with the upper end portion of saidbase cylinder; and valve control means adapted to alternately open andclose said gas pressure inlet means and said gas pressure outlet means.

4. Jet producing means for marine propulsion comprising a base cylindersecured to the hull of a ship and having a bottom end portion open tothe exterior of said hull;'an upper cylinder of smaller diameter thansaid base cylinder rigid with the top end portion of said base cylinderand positioned coaxially thereof; a cylindrical core of smaller diameterthan said upper cylinder supported coaxially within said upper cylinderand cooperating therewith to form an annular chamber, said core having aliquid outlet passageway; a propulsion Jet tube connected with saidpassageway and extending to the exterior of the ship's hull; a tubularsleeve reciprocable in said annular chamber; a piston head of largerdiameter than said sleeve on the lower end portion of said sleeve andreciprocable in said base cylinder whereby a pressure chamber'is formedbetween said base cylinder and said sleeve above said piston head; acheck valve controlling the liquid discharge outlet passageway in saidcore;

' another check valve in said piston head yieldable to pressure on thebottom side of said head; a compressor lung adapted to contain gas underpressure; a gas compressor having a discharge conduit connected with theupper end portion or said base cylinder and an intake conduit connectedwith said lung and another gas compressor having an intake conduitconnected with the upper'end portion of said base cylinder and adischarge conduit connected with said lung.

5. Jet producing means for marine propulsion comprising a base cylindersecured to the hull of a ship and having a bottom end portion open tothe exterior of said hull; an upper cylinder of smaller diameter thansaid base cylinder rigid with the top end portion of said base cylinderand positioned coaxially thereof; a cylindrical core of smaller diameterthan said upper cylinder supported coaxially within said upper cylinderand cooperating therewith to form an annular chamber, said core having aliquid outlet passageway; a propulsion Jet tube connected with saidpassageway and extending to the exterior of the ship's hull; a tubularsleeve reciprocable in said annular chamber; a piston head of largerdiameter than said sleeve on the lower end portion of said sleeve andreciprocable in said base cylinder whereby a pressure chamber is formedbetween said base cylinder and said sleeve above said piston head; acheck valve controlling the liquid discharge outlet passageway in saidcore; another check valve in said piston head yieldable to pressure onthe bottom side of said head; a compressor lung adapted to contain gasunder pressure; a gas compressor having a discharge conduit connectedwith the upper end portion of said base cylinder and an intake conduitconnected with said lung, an air dump receptacle connected with theupper end portion of said base cylinder; and another gas compressorhaving an intake conduit connected with said air dump receptacle and adischarge conduit connected with said lung.

6. In jet producing pump means for use in a submarine, a pump housingformed of two coaxial cylindrical sections of relatively larger andsmaller diameters adapted to be supported within the hull of a submarinewith one end of said larger housing section open to the water pressureon the exterior of the submarine; a piston comprising a piston headfitted to and reciprocable in the cylinder section of larger diameterand a piston sleeve fitted to and reciprocable in v the housing sectionof smaller diameter; a core member having an external diameter slightlysmaller than the internal diameter of said piston sleeve and fittingsnugly within said sleeve, said core member having a water passagewayextending longitudinally therethrough, a check valve in said passageway,another check valve in said piston head; and gas pressure inlet anddischarge means connected with the upper end portion of said largerhousing section.

. GEORGE R. MICUTA.

